Cousin's Challenge by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page B

SHADOW.
    Jolene’s hand shook as she pointed to the door. “Take that animal outside! The schoolhouse is no place for a horse!”
    â€œIt’s not a horse; it’s a pony,” Kyle said, looking at her defiantly.
    Jolene groaned; her patience was gone. Why did this young boy have to be such a challenge? Determined not to let Kyle know how upset she was, Jolene grabbed the pony’s bridle and led him out the door. When she returned to the classroom, she found a stool and told Kyle he had to sit in the corner until Fern returned. She’d be glad when school was over for the day and she could go home and collapse on the sofa. Then she remembered her decision to see Lonnie. She hoped that visit would go better than the rest of her day.
    ***
    When Eunice pulled up to the hitching rail at the Yoders’ place, she spotted Andrew talking to a young, dark-haired man she’d never seen before.
    Andrew smiled when Eunice stepped down from her buggy, and her heart skipped a beat.
    â€œHave you met Jake Beechy?” Andrew asked.
    Eunice shook her head. She knew Jake’s parents and siblings, but she’d never met him.
    â€œJake was in Montana when you moved to Indiana, but he’s back now, taking care of his daed’s business.” Andrew motioned to Jake. “He came over to shoe a couple of our horses.”
    â€œI see.” Eunice smiled at Jake. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    â€œNice to meet you, too,” Jake said as he pulled some tools from the back of his pickup.
    Eunice couldn’t help but notice the dimple in Jake’s chin. His dark hair and deeply set blue green eyes were in sharp contrast to Andrew’s light brown hair and hazel-colored eyes. While both men were nice looking, Jake was far more handsome. But then, good looks weren’t everything. Eunice was attracted to Andrew’s easygoing, soft-spoken ways.
    â€œI came by to deliver the candles your mamm ordered at the party she hosted awhile back,” she told Andrew.
    â€œWant me to get them out of the buggy for you?” he asked.
    â€œI’d appreciate that.” Eunice went around to the back of her buggy and motioned to the box full of candles.
    Andrew whistled. “Mom sure ordered a lot!”
    â€œOh, they’re not all hers. Most of them are what the other women who came to her party ordered.”
    â€œSounds like you had a successful party.”
    Eunice smiled. “I did.”
    Andrew reached into the buggy and lifted the box with ease, and then he headed across the yard with Eunice following on his heels. When he reached the house, he set the box on the porch and turned to face her. “My mamm’s not here right now, but I’ll make sure she knows these are here as soon as she gets home.”
    â€œWhat about your sister? Is she at home?”
    â€œNope. She’s still at the schoolhouse.”
    â€œOh.” Eunice hesitated, wondering if she should invite Andrew to her house for supper one night next week, but she changed her mind. When she’d been trying to win Freeman Bontrager’s heart last year, she’d become too pushy and had sent him straight into the arms of Katie Miller. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
    â€œTell your mamm and schweschder that I’m sorry I missed them,” she said.
    â€œI will.”
    Eunice hurried across the yard. When she reached the place where Jake had begun shoeing one of the horses, she paused. “I’ll probably see you again soon because my daed has a couple of horses he needs to have shoed.”
    â€œNo problem,” Jake said as she untied her horse. “Tell him to give me a call.”
    â€œI will.” Eunice stepped into her buggy and gathered up the reins. When she reached the end of the driveway, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Andrew waving at her. She smiled. If I don’t chase after him, maybe he’ll chase after me.
    ***
    Lonnie